| Predecessor | Seco Rail AMEC-Spie |
|---|---|
| Parent | Bouygues |
| Website | www.colasrail.co.uk |
Colas Rail is a British rail freight company, formerly known as Seco Rail. Seco Rail was the name of the UK subsidiary of the French railway engineering company SECO which operates in Europe. SECO (Société d'Études et de Construction d'Outillage) was founded in 1931. In 2000 SECO was purchased by the road building company Colas. Whilst still based mainly in France, the company has subsidiaries in the UK and Belgium, and in 2006 became a train operator (Train operating company in the UK) through its transportation of aggregates. In 2007 Colas merged its Seco Rail operations with its other rail subsidiary AMEC-Spie, under the new operating name of Colas Rail, and also acquired the Plant division of Carillion Rail which was included in the new group.[1][2]
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In 2007, the company purchased 3 Class 47 diesel locomotives to power its maintenance trains, for its track renewal work for Network Rail. 47727 and 47749 were named at a ceremony at Eastleigh works on 20 September 2007. 47739 was named on 30 September 2008. These locomotives were used on railhead treatment trains in the South West of England in 2008 and 2009.
The company also hired Class 57s for log traffic from Crianlarich/Carlisle to Chirk. From the start of 2007 until 31 October 2009 Colas Rail hired Class 57/3 locos from Virgin Trains. Starting in August 2009 a Class 57/0 was hired from Direct Rail Services on a trial basis for one or two days each week. These trials culminated in the use of two Class 57/0 locos in multiple on 2, 3 and 4 November 2009. On 5 November 2009 the current standard hire of one Direct Rail Services Class 57/0 each day became the norm. Although on paper the Class 57/0 is 2,500 Horsepower, 250 Horsepower less than a Class 57/3, the 57/0s are able to keep the timings allocated to the Colas Rail timber trains by Network Rail. Unlike the Virgin Trains Class 57/3s, all 16 of which were variously used on the timber trains, Direct Rail Services has specifically allocated 57002 to the Colas workings with 57008 as standby when 57002 is out of use for maintenance or repairs. To reflect this allocation 57002 has been fitted with a large Colas Rail logo on each side, just behind the non-driving side of each cab.
Following the demise of Advenza Freight in 2009, Colas Rail leased initially 3 Class 66/4 locomotives (66841-3), followed by an additional 2 later(66844 & 66845). The locos were previously 66405-410, which were renumbered under Advenza Freight. 66845 was also renumbered after Colas accquired it from DRS.
Class 73 Electro-diesel number 73133 was used as a shunter at Taunton Fairwater yard until 2009, when it was moved to Plymouth Tavistock Junction Yard, reportedly to be used by Colas Rail for crew and route learning duties for Network Rail.[3]
Colas Rail also owns and operates a mixed fleet of on-track plant for maintenance operations.
| Number | Class | Name | Livery | Former Operators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47727 | 47 | Rebecca | Colas Rail Yellow & Orange | BR and EWS |
| 47739 | 47 | Robin of Templecombe | Colas Rail Yellow & Orange | BR and EWS |
| 47749 | 47 | Demelza | Colas Rail Yellow & Orange | BR and EWS |
| 66841 | 66 | Colas Rail Yellow & Orange | DRS and Advenza | |
| 66842 | 66 | Colas Rail Yellow & Orange | DRS and Advenza | |
| 66843 | 66 | Colas Rail Yellow & Orange | DRS, Advenza and GBRf | |
| 66844 | 66 | Colas Rail Yellow & Orange | DRS, Advenza and GBRf | |
| 66845 | 66 | Colas Rail Yellow & Orange | DRS |
| Number | Class | Name | Livery | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 73133 | 73 | Unbranded Mainline Blue | Plymouth Tavistock Junction Yard |
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